 NWRSF PRESIDENT The Northwest Roller Skating Foundation (NWRSF) is celebrating its 10th year of -“[Fostering] the sport of competitive amateur roller skating in the Northwest region.“ This has been our mission and will continue to be the focus of our efforts in the future. However, the success that we are looking for has not been realized. While we have supported a number of programs and individual skaters, the bottom line in judging our success has been the number of competitors and the quality of their skating. | The number of skaters competing in our regional championship has not increased over the past 10 years and this year there was a significant drop off. The quality of artistic and speed skating has, in certain events, improved and the number of high placements at the national level have risen. Unfortunately, some of this is due to a reduction in the number of competitors in other regions. We remain optimistic that we can imbue our sport with the verve and vitality that are inherent in this artistic, athletic activity. It is essential, not only for our youth, but for all persons seeking a healthy form of recreation and personal improvement to their lives. We have begun a new emphasis on investing our financial resources. We will continue our support of the annual skate camp, and partially funding Northwest skaters going to the world championships. While we will continue to consider helping individual skaters, we have budgeted no money for this purpose this year. | The NWRSF has begun a program to support competitive meets. Two were chosen this year - The November meet at the Oaks and the April meet at Auburn. Part of our plan to help the sport is to attract more money that would offset expenses associated with running a meet. This would make it easier for a rink owner to commit to the donation of revenue lost due to the contest, to expend money in purchasing awards, to bring in top quality judges and exhibitors, and to dedicate the time and effort necessary to put on a contest that attracts skaters throughout the region and across the nation. The Auburn contest, except for the regional championship, is the largest meet in the region and the fourth largest in the nation. While the meet attracts a lot of skaters from out of the region, it provides an excellent opportunity to exhibit fine skating, while giving our local competitors a chance to perform before national panel judges. However, the hosting of this event, when all revenues and costs are taken into account, has always produced a negative net. |
Our hope is to use this underwriting of meets as an example to solicit future donations from charitable foundations, private corporations, or individuals. The NWRSF has initiated several programs to promote our sport, and this one appears to be very successful in helping rekindle the enthusiasm for our great sport and to encourage monetary support for vital contests that are notoriously fraught with financial risk. I ask all fans of our great sport to support the NWRSF
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The Northwest Roller Skating Foundation is dedicated to providing support to talented and deserving roller skater, and to encourage excellence in the sport. Our goal is to raise funds for the financial aid to assist these deserving skaters with their expenses such as travel, lodging, skating education, coaching assistance, costumes, skate replacement or repairs, entry fees and more. Lack of funding should ot prevent talented roller skaters from developing their skills. We welcome you as our partner in sharing a commitment to the future of our sport. Your tax deductable contribution will help a roller skater fulfill his or her goals, and will be greatly appreciated.
We welcome you to join us in sharing our commitment to the future of our sport. Your tax deductable contribution will help a roller skater fulfill his or her goals and will be greatly appreciated.
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Mission
Background
Our sport has approximately 4,500 amateur athletes throughout the United States. There are local, regional and national competitions to improve their skills. These competitions help foster health, values of sportsmanship, and behaviors that enhance success in adult life. The Northwest Region has approximately 500 skaters who compete annually. The Northwest Region currently has 5 skaters who have qualified to compete in International World Competitions. The USA governing body does not pay for the international travel of the athletes that qualify to compete at a World Meet.
There are three types of Roller Sports.
Roller Speed has several elements for its participants. There are indoor races similar to short track speed as seen in Ice Speed events. There are road races on prescribed tracks throughout host cities and there is a marathon event. The US is currently ranked 6th in the World but has the current marathon champion. Former US speed champions have moved to Ice Speed to seek training funds. These include Olympians Derek Parra, Jennifer Rodriguez, Apollo Ohno, and Chad Hendrick.
Artistic Skating is similar to Ice Figure Skating. The rules and events are similar with Dance, Figures, Free Skating, Pairs and Precision Teams. The US is currently ranked 4th in World competition.
Roller Skating Sports reflects the diversity of the USA. Approximately 8% of the registered amateurs are African American and 9% Asian. Hispanic Americans are approximately 20% of registered amateurs. There are events for all age divisions from 5 years of age through older adults in their 60's and 70's. Approximately 38% of all skaters are above the age of 25. Sixty percent of skaters are female. Economically, Roller Skaters are live in households with an average household income of $41,000 - $60,000 with an average family size of 5. The costs of competitive skating can total $3,500 a year (includes instruction approximately $40/hr, club dues $40/mo, Equipment $500/yr and travel to competitions $1000/yr). It is obvious that participation is a challenge with the expenses of normal household of 5 people and the other family expenses.
We are seeking the support of persons who may be interested in competitive sports and the families that help make the skaters participation a reality.
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#93-1206414 |
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LINK TO BIOGRAPHIES DIRECTORS BIOGRAPHIES
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RON GUSTAFSON> |
MARGE DYKEMAN |
BILL SPOONER |
Ray Hosking John Souza Marlene Bruland-Webmaster |
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MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Northwest Roller Skating Foundation P.O. Box 82453 Portland, OR 97282 |
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